In the vibrant landscape of scientific innovation, Africa is on the brink of a breakthrough. The Future African Scientist Biotech Pitch Event, held on Monday, August 19, marked the culmination of a 10-week lecture series delivered by Professor Harvey Lodish from MIT. This event is more than just a pitch competition; it symbolizes the dawn of a new era in African science and entrepreneurship.


Five groups of emerging biotech innovators showcased their bold ideas, developed over the course of the program. The panel of judges was composed of seasoned leaders in the field—chief scientific officers, CEOs, and founders from pioneering companies like Mabswitch and Tevard Biosciences. Their task? To provide invaluable feedback and guide these budding entrepreneurs in refining their concepts into fully-fledged businesses capable of thriving in Africa’s biotech landscape.

The Pitch Event: Africa’s First Young Biotech Innovators

What makes this event truly special is the fact that it nurtures some of the very first biotech companies to be established in Africa. Among them, Riverplus Biotech stands out as an experienced player, while the rest are just taking their first steps toward transforming African healthcare, agriculture, and industry through biotechnology. Each of these startups brings a unique vision to address real-world challenges on the continent:

a) Riverplus Biotech: Offering a cost-effective, simplified test for river blindness (Onchocerciasis) using dipstick technology.

b) Kitovu Biotech: Revolutionizing agriculture by producing and supplying high-quality Date Palm and Banana plantlets using advanced plant cell and tissue culture techniques.

c) Anim-cell Organics: Harnessing the power of plant stem cell extracts to create organic skincare products.

d) CELLAPROSTAS: Developing a targeted gene therapy for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer, a critical unmet need in healthcare.

e) EnzybAf: Addressing antibiotic resistance by creating enzybiotics that kill dangerous bacteria, particularly ESKAPEE pathogens, without contributing to the rise of resistance.

These ventures reflect a mix of medical innovation, sustainable agriculture, and forward-thinking solutions, demonstrating that Africa’s challenges are also its greatest opportunities for scientific progress.

Why Entrepreneurship Matters for Africa’s Scientists

For far too long, Africa’s scientific potential has been underutilized, with bright minds either migrating abroad or confined to underfunded local research. The shift toward tech-driven, entrepreneurial ventures is not only crucial but inevitable. Biotechnology, in particular, offers a fertile ground for young scientists to channel their knowledge into impactful businesses that can address the continent’s most pressing needs—from healthcare to agriculture.


Training scientists to think like entrepreneurs is vital. Entrepreneurship fosters a mindset that prioritizes problem-solving, resilience, and scalability—qualities that are critical for success in Africa’s challenging environments. When scientists are equipped with entrepreneurial skills, they gain the tools to translate their research into solutions that don’t just advance knowledge but directly improve lives.

The Future of Biotech in Africa

As participants in the Future African Scientist Biotech Pitch Event presented their ideas, they took part in more than just a learning experience—they embarked on a journey to reshape Africa’s biotech future. With the right mentorship and support, these ideas have the potential to grow into companies that can transform industries, solve critical health crises, and offer sustainable innovations for the continent.


This pitch event, while marking the end of Professor Lodish’s lecture series, is just the beginning for the students involved. The collaboration between Africa’s emerging biotech leaders and established global players heralds a future where Africa no longer sits on the sidelines but becomes a leader in biotechnology.


As Africa takes its first steps into this frontier, nurturing its scientists with entrepreneurial skills is the key to unlocking the continent's vast potential. The future of African biotechnology is bright, and it starts with events like this—where ideas are born, and legacies are built.